PSA: Are You Driving with a Suspended License?

In light of an apparent recent crackdown by the NYPD on motorists caught driving with a suspended license, which can lead to arrest and an overnight stay in jail, we urge all members of the community to refrain from operating a motor vehicle until they ensure that their license and other paperwork is in legal order.

It is an unfortunate occurrence when a driver gets pulled over and does not know he or she had a suspended driver’s license, usually the result of an unpaid or forgotten ticket, and is arrested and has to spend the night in jail.

Each year dozens of members of our community are arrested while driving with a suspended driver’s license. The Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend your driving privileges for a variety of reasons. The most common reason a license is suspended is if you don’t answer a traffic summons, or if you fail to pay the full fine or surcharge listed on the summons.

If your license is suspended, it will remain in effect until you correct the condition that led to the suspension. All too often – hard working individuals end up in jail simply because they have neglected to answer traffic summonses.

If you are caught in any of the following situations, your driver license will be revoked for at least one year: 1. operating an uninsured vehicle 2. permitting another person to operate your uninsured vehicle. 3. the DMV receives evidence that you were involved in a traffic accident without being insured.

If you are caught driving with a revoked driver’s license, the penalties are extremely harsh and can mean serving significant jail time and hefty fines. Do not let this happen to you!

In order to find out if your license is suspended or revoked, we urge you to call the Department of Motor Vehicles during business hours – Monday-Friday at 718-488-5710 to find out the status of your driver license. Please make sure to have your license on hand so you can supply the necessary information.

Remember, if a Law Enforcement Officer stops you with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, you will go to jail. Make the phone call today and encourage your friends and family to do the same. You can save yourself a lot of unwanted aggravation.

To check the status of your driver’s license online, visit http://dmv.ny.gov/node/2066.